Teen shot dead in South Side alley

A Chicago police officer searches an alley near 79th and Cottage Grove where a teen was shot dead Thursday afternoon. (Mike Anzaldi/ for the Chicago Tribune)

A 17-year-old boy was shot and killed this afternoon in the Chatham neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, authorities said.

The shooting happened about 2:15 p.m. in an alley near East 78th Street and South Cottage Grove Avenue.

The teenager was shot several times by one of two people who confronted him, Chicago police Sgt. Antoinette Ursitti said.

The victim staggered behind a church near 78th and Cottage Grove and was taken to Jackson Park Hospital by ambulance, officials said.

The shooting may have been gang related, Ursitti said.

Police turned out in force in the neighborhood, with a swarm of officers in the area with M4 rifles, because, a police source said, the victim is the younger brother of a top member of the Gangster Disciples and police fear a retaliation shooting.

Officers were searching for the suspects in the area of 78th and South Champlain Avenue.